Spring suspension.



G. WESTINGHOUSE. SPRING SUSPENSION. APPLICATION FILED :uuzzs, 191:.

RENEWED MAY 21, I914- Pa-tented MaySO, 1916.

HIS ATTORNEY /N FACT.

3 suns-sneer I.

G. WESTINGHOUSE.

SPRING SUSPENSION.

APPLICATION. HLED 1,185,351

IUNEZG, IQH- RENEWED MAY 21 19'4- Patented May 30, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

IN VEN TOR.

n 4 rill/11111111 WJUI HIS ATTORNEY IN FACT.

WI TNES G. WESTINGHOUSE.

SPRING SUSPENSION. .APPLICATION HLED JUNE 28. 1911. RENEWED MAY 2|. 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Patented May 30,1916.

GEORGE WESTINGHOUSE OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE WEST-' INGHOUSE AIR SPRING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

-SPRING: SUSPENSION.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented may 30, 191

Application filed June 28. 1911, Serial No. 635,806. Renewed May 21, 1914. Serial 110. 846,187.

To 0% whom it may concern Be it known that I. GEORGE \VEsT1xo-' made a new and useful invention in Spring Suspension. of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to vehicles and more particularly to the application of certain devices (set forth in. among other applications, .one tiled b v'me on September 29th. 1909. Serial No. 520,039; and devices similar to that illustrated in an application, Serial No. 545.957, tiled by Richard Liebau, on Febrnarv'QSth, 1910) and improvements thereon to vehicles.

Vehicles to which this invention relates comprise a load platform. interposed means for affording elastic support for the same and additional means maintaining operative running position of the running gear with respect to the body of the vehicle and the direction of movement, while permitting all of the relative vertical movements necessary for practical elastic cushion support of the body of the vehicle.

The relative movements that are to. be

limited or prevented-in such vehicles are fore-and-aft and lateral movements of the axle, and also fore-and-aft rocking thereof. The movements to be permitted are relative vertical movement of the axle both where such relative movement is equal for both ends of the axle. so that the latter maintains its normal parallelism with plane of the load platform of the vehicle, and also where such relative vertical movement is greater or different in direction at one end of the axle from the movement at the other end thereof, so as to produce an endwise tilt of the axle with respect to the vehicle body or frame.

It has been demonstrated that the several types of springs now common in vehicles such as autonmbiles. permit all of the desirable movements and prevent or sufficiently limit all of the undesirable movements.

have so connecte lthem up to the ordinary type of automobile spring that the outer casings thereof are rigidly secured to the vehicle body or load platform, and the inner movable member thereof I have shackled or pivotally connected to one end of the vehicle spring in the ordinary way, the other end of which is shackled or pi votally connected to the load platform or vehicle body.

For the sake of illustration, but with no idea of limiting this invention, I have also shown it as applied to an automobile equipped with semi-e1liptic springs of the ordinary construction.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of an automobile, the body thereof being shown by dotted lines, with this invention applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a detailed view in sectional elevation of the forward end of the vehicle frame and front spring showing this invention applied thereto. Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the same; and Fig. 5 is a detail of the shackle or pivotal connection by means of which the movable member of the hydro-pneumatic spring is coupled to the vehicle spring. Fig. 6 1s a detailed view partially in elevation and partially in section of the rear of the vehicle frame and rear spring, and shows a hydropneumatic spring secured thereto. Fig. 7 is a detailed view taken on line 77 in Fig. 6 of the shackle or pivotal connection for securing the movable member of the hydropneumatio spring to the vehicle steel spring. Fig- 8 is a cross sectional view of said shackle taken on line 88 of Fig. 6'.

Since the pneumatic spring may vary widely in construction and forms the subject of other applications for patent, it need not be described here. but in all forms applicable for use with this invention. it is now believed there will be a part which is stationary with respect to the load platform or vehicle body and a part which moves with relation thereto. The part which. is stationary with respect to the vehicle body, while stationary. may have movements with relation to said body. that is. it may bepivotallv connected to said body butwill not reciprocate or move vertically of the body while it may be allowed to swing or pivot wi'threlation thereto. In the form of pneumatic spring utilized for illustration herein. there is an outer stationary part and an in ner movable part telescopically arranged with relation to the stationary part.

In Fig. l a bracket 9 has an arm which extends into the channel frame of the vehicle body and is riveted thereto at 10. This carries the outer stationary part 11 of a pneumatic spring. Ilhe inner or movable part thereof is pivotally connected to the forward end of the steel spring 12. which is secured to the axle of the vehicle 13 and shackled at its rear end, as at 14. to a bracket 15 connected to the vehicle frame. The pivotal. connection or shackle for securing a movable member of the pneumatic spring to the forward end of the front steel'spring may be of various designs, but the one illustrated consists of a block 16 which rests on the eve of the steel spring 12, and is secured to the spring by means of a bolt 17 which passes through the eye of the sprin with sufficient clearance. so that strainstue to the twisting of the steel spring are not transmitted to the movable member of the pneumatic spring. The outer stationary part of the pneumatic spring is slotted as at 18,'and within this slot the steel spring plays. The shackle 1-l is arranged so that at all times it tends to'force the steel spring toward the forward end of the stationary depending part of the pneumatic spring. that is. instead of draggingthe forward axle by means of the frame. as is generally done. the forward axle is pushed by means of shackle ll. This relieves the pneumatic spring from the strains which it would receive if it were dragging the front axle.

To each corner of the rear of the vehicle frame an upward-1v extending bracket 20 is secured. and to this the outer stationary part of the rear pneumatic spring is fastened. The rear end of the rear steel spring (the forward end thereof being shackled to the body at '21 in the customary manner) is connected to the morable'member of the pneumatic spring by means of a shackle which will permit the spring to extend and contract. and the body and the rear axle to assume different positions relative one to the other without throwing the strains due thereto on to the movable member of the pneumatic spring. This shackle or pivotal connection consists of two depending links 21. each of which is provided with a pin 22. which fits within the spring ey of the rear spring. A block 24 pro vided with trunnions 23. which are mounted within links 21: has a pin or bolt 26 passing through it. which bolt is carried in a bracket 27 secured to the movable member of the pneumatic spring at 23. This forms in effeet a universal shackle and prevents twisting strains of the steel spring from being transmitted to the movable member. The

of the ends of rear steel springs,- which steel springs play up and down within said slots as relative movements between the vehicle body and the rear axle take place.

From this disclosure it will be seen that this invention may be readily applied to all types of vehicles, to vehicles equipped with all of the different types of leaf springs which are now in use, these leaf spgings serving as the tying members and acting as spring levers for connecting the movable members of the hydrdpneumatic springs to the axles and running gear of the veh1cles.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes I have described the principle of operation of my invention, together with the device which I now consider to rep- --resent the best embodiment thereof, but I desire to have it understood that the device shown is only illustrative and that the invention can be carried out in other ways.

Having thus described my invention what I claim isz 1. In combination with a load platform and running gear of a vehicle. a metallic,

leaf spring secured to said running gear and at one end pivotally connected or shackled to the load platform. a telescopically-arranged pneumatic spring located between the other endof said metallic spring and said load platform, and a-guide member for said telescopically-arranged spring extending downwardly therefrom and slotted to receive the steel spring and to allow same to move longitudinally thereof.

2. In combination with a load platform and running gear of a vehicle, a metallic leaf spring secured to said running gear and a t one end thereof connected to said load platform. a telescopically arranged pneumatic spring secured to said load platform, a shackle connecting said pneumatic spring and said metallic spring. and a guide member depending from said pneumatic spring and slotted to receive said steel spring and to surround said shackle.

3. In combination with a load platform and the running gear of a vehicle. a metallic spring secured to said running gear and at one end pivotallyto said load platform. a

tele opically arranged pneumatic spring 10- catec between the other end of said metallic spriit and the load platform. and a guide member for said telescopically arranged spring rigidly secured to said load platform and slotted to receive the steel spring and to allow the same to move relatively thereto.

4. In combination with a load platform and the running gear of a vehicle. a leaf spring secured to said running'gear and at one end of said load platform. -a telescopi cally arranged pneumatic spring located between the :otheiendof said i leaf spring and said platform, .and\*a-gni eanernber for said pneumatic spring rigidlyimounted on said a "platform and eirtending downwardly therefrom and' slotted to receive'the leaf. spring. -5. In combination-with the load platform 'andthe' rnnnin'ggear of a'vehicle', a metaliic.

spring-secured at an intermediate point ;to

the running gear, atoneend pivotally conload platform, and a movable member telescopicallyarranged with the stationary member and located above the adjacent endof the metallic spring, and a depending shackle pivotally connected to said metallic spring and" to a ortionnf the" movable member located below the end of the metallic-"spring. I r

6. In combination with the load platform and the running gear ofavehicle, a pneumatic spring comprising a member secured tothe load platform, and a movable member telescopically arranged therewith, a leaf spring secured to the running gear with one end projecting below said movable memher, and a depending shackle pivotally connected at its upper end to the projecting end of the spring, and a pin mounted on the movable member below the projecting end of themetallic spring to which the lower end of's'aid shackle is pivota'lly connected.

7. In combination with the load platform and the running gear of a vehicle, a. tele-' scopicsprin comprising a stationary member-mounte on the load platform and a movable member telescopically arranged within 'the stationary member and having a shackle-mounting part located near the lower end thereof. a leaf spring secured to the running gear and tothe load platform with one erid projecting above the shackle mounting part of the movable member. and a shackle pivotally connected at its upper end to the projecting end of the leaf spring and pivotally connected at its lower end to the shackle-mounting part of said movable member. I

8. In combination with the load platform and the running gear'of a vehicle. a leaf spring secured to the running gear and to the load platform with one end projecting and adapted to be secured to a pneumatic spring. a pneumatic spring located above the projecting end of said leaf spring and comprising a stationary member mounted on the load platform and slotted at one end to receive the projecting end of the leaf spring. and a movable member tclesropirallv arranged with said stationary member. and a shackle having its upper end connected to the leaf spring and its lower end connected to said movable member and surrounded by theslotted tiona'ry member...

an combination with the iota portion of sa d I eta and-the running gear of a-lvehicle, .-a .mc

tallic spring secured to the running gear and to. the load platform, with one end projecting and adapted to be a pneumatic spring, and a pneumatic:

comprising a statlonary member mounted 275, the PIOiSCtlDE' end of the 'metall1c .spr ng,;.

and 1a ova l r i ranged with the stationary mem r and see on the oad platform and slottedto receive e member telesco ,ically; er:

cured to the projecting end of the metallic spring. q I I U 10. In combination with :load plat; form andthe'running gear-of; ve hicjle, a

metallic springsecured to therunning gear and to the load platform and having wer jectingend adapted to .besecuredit'o: ii teli'; escopic spring,'and atelescopic spri ing'o'ne member mounted on the-10:5;

form and slotted to receive the projecting.

end of the metallic spring,} and. amovable member uided by the stationary member and loos y connected to the of the metallic spring where y strains due to the twisting of the metallic spring are not transmitted to the movable member.

11. In combination with the frame and running gear of a vehicle. a leaf spring secured to the running gear and at one end'linked or shackled to the frame and having the other end adapted to be secured to a telescopic spring, a telescopic spring comprising a stationary member rigidly SECillfidlfiO the frame and slotted to receive the; leaf spring, and a movable member. telescopicall} arranged with reference to the statig ary member. and a bolt or pin ,fon connecting the metallic spring to said moraljle member. p p i s 2 i1} 12. In combination with the load iplyliforn and the running gear of- -a vehicle"-,-f{a flat spring connected to the running gear at an intermediate" part of the springfa ,te'l scopic spring comprising a stationary member mounted on the load platform and slot ted at one end to receive a projecting end of the flat spring, and a movable member guided in its movements by the statio'nrir} member and connected to the projecting end of the flat spring. and a shackle for sits pending the load platform from the other end of the flat spring. pivotally connected to the load platform and the flat spring and so arranged that it normally occupies an inclined position with the point of its con nection with the load platform located closer to the point of connection of the fiat sprin; with the running gear than the point of connection between it and the flat spring. 1 In combination with the frame of a vehicle. a leaf spring at itsrear end shackled or linked to said frame, a supplemental rejecting end &

telescopic spring having an outer "guard cvlt -.-i ;,.&

inder rigidly secured to said fiame and slotted to receive the .leaf s ring.- and 'a" eylinder telescopingwithin said gim-d' eyl vehicle? a front leaf spring t mental ertile-all}?telescdping spring having an oli'ter inelnber rigidly' secured to said frame. fan inner cylindrical inelnbei' telescoping within Sald outer member. and a pin orbolt eoxinectixiiz the. forward end of said leaf sprlngto said inner member.

15. In cnmbination with the frame Of'a vehicle. a vehicle front axle. a leaf spring connected to SilitLElSilQ, a 'shaek le or link, con meeting the rear of said leaf spring with saidfran e, a 1telescop c anspr ng having an outer or guard member rigidly secured to said frameand at its rear slotted to receive the forward endof said leaf spring. a eylindrleal j neinber telescoping; \nthni said. guard neihber. and .a pin oribolti connecting the forward end ofsaid leaf spring vehicle. a front axle. a leaf spring connected to said axle. a' shackle orilink connecting the rear of said leaf spring with said fraine, a

telescopic-nil" spring having an outer or un-a member rigidly secured to said .fraine and at 'its rear slotted to receive the forward endof 'said leaf spring. a cylindrical inem be'r telescoping within said guard member and a pin or bolt connecting the forward end of said leaf spring with said inner teleseoping member: said link or shackle being positioned so that the inner' telesco )ing member is foreedag'ainst the forwar inner' sin-face of the guard member opposite saidslotted portion.

In testimonjg' whereof l have hereunto subscribed my name this 26th day of June.

GEO. \VESTINGHOUSE.

'itnesses:

' C. V. MCGHEE. R. J. RIDGE.

"shackled or linked to said lfraine. a supple 1 mental rerticall y.telescoping spring having "an oute'r ineinber rigidly secured 'to said frame. an inner crlindrical ineinber telescoping within said outer member. and a pinorholt connecting the forward end of said leaf springto said inner lneii'ibei'.

15. In combination with the fraineofja Yl1iClQ.'z i vehicle front axle. a leafspring connected to'saidaxle. a shackle or link connecting there-a1 of said leaf spring with i said f ra1ne. a telescopic air spring ha'vlng an outer or guard member rigidly secured to said frame. and at its rear slotted to receire the forward end of said leaf spring. a cylindrical member telescoping within 5- said, guard member. and .a pin or' bolt con- Correcttibfle fin Letters Patent N 0. 1',1i8 5;357

.necting the forward end of said leaf It is hereby certified that in Letters'Patent No. 1,185,357, granted May and said inner telescoping member.

16. Incon'lbination with the frame of a vehicle. a front axle. a leaf spring connected to said axle. a' shackle or link connecting the rear of said leaf spring with said frame, a telescopic air spring having an outer or guard member rigidly secured to saidfra'me and at its-rear slotted to receive the forward end of said leaf spring. a cylindrical menibe'r telescoping within said guard member spring and a pin or bolt connecting the forward end of said leaf spring with said inner telescoping member: said link or shackle being positioned so that the inner telescoping nieniber is forced'against the forward inner si'u'face of the guard member opposite said slotted portion.

In testimony whereof. I have hereunto subscribed my name this 26th day of June.

, GEO. WESTINGHOUSE. Witnesses:

C. V. McGHEE.

J. RIDGE.

"19.16,' upon the application of George Vestinghouse, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 'for an improvement in Spriug Suspension, errors appears in the printed specifi cation requiring correction as follows: Page 2, line 129; claim 4, for the Word of read to; page 4, line .27, claim 15, for the word and read 1 2%; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Offiee.

Signed and sealed this 27th day of June, A. D., 1916.

a; F. WHIT'EHEAD,

Corrections in Letters Patent No. M 85657.

It, is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. v1,185,357, granted May 30,

1916, upon the application of George Westinghouse, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,

for an improvement in "Spring Suspension, errors appears in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 2, line 129, claim 4, for the Word of" read to; page 4 line 2?, Claim 15v for the word and read it'll-Ii, and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may couform to the record of the case in the Patent Ofhce.

Signed and sealed this 27th day of June, A. D., 1916.

{QEALJ R. I". \VHlTl-IHEA D.

Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

